New Delhi: Two-time Olympic and world champion Viktor Axelsen drew curtains on a glorious career on Wednesday. The Danish badminton icon announced his retirement, admitting that his injury-plagued body has told him to “stop”.
The 32-year-old shuttler has been out of action since October last year due to a back problem, which required surgery and left him in chronic pain.
With no relief in sight, Axelsen decides to draw curtains on his glorious career
“As most people know, I have been struggling with my back for quite some time. After I had surgery in April last year and went through a long rehabilitation process, I unfortunately had a setback in October,” Axelsen told ‘Badminton Europe’.
“Since those tournaments, I have not been able to play or train at the level required. I have not been able to play or train due to pain, and that is why I am unfortunately forced to make this extremely difficult decision,” he added.
The three-time European champion conceded that with no relief in pain and the possibility of another surgery if he prolongs his playing career, he had no choice but to listen to his body.
Multiple top-podium finishes put Axelsen in a league of his own
The former world number one, who stayed at the top of the rankings for 183 weeks – the third-longest run of all time, claimed consecutive Olympic gold medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics and clinched top podium finishes in the 2017 and 2022 World Championships.
“They say that with the pain I am experiencing now, it could potentially require another surgery, and if that does not go well, even a more serious procedure might be necessary.
“In any case, it would mean I would not be able to compete at the level required. So, it is simply my body telling me to stop, and I have to follow the advice of my doctors,” added the celebrated shuttler.
He was also a key member of Denmark’s six gold medal-winning teams in the European Championships.
“The decision has been made in consultation with the surgeon who operated on me last year, as well as the doctors I have been working with,” he said.
Besides the array of injuries, Axelsen has also managed asthma throughout his career. His last outing was at home at the Denmark Open in October 2025.
(With Inputs from PTI)